We
may have the notion that we will render an account once and for all on Judgement
Day, but this scripture shows us that we will render an account in time (or during our lives) too.While it may still seem like the
accounting is only done once, when we do it often, it can help us continue to
make progress.

We
are familiar with the account that we give every year to the bishop about our
tithe-paying status, but rendering an account can be a helpful tool for other
areas or our lives.Specifically,
I want to point out how it is fundamental to the de-cluttering process.

Rending
an account to another person helps us figure out what is surplus.There is something about talking to
another person that helps you think more realistically about how often you
really use something.This is one
way professional organizers help their clients de-clutter.Professional organizers are adept at
asking questions that will challenge us to think about our need for things, to
think about how much is appropriate to have that will not get in our way, and
to think about whether the frequency of use justifies the space things take
up.

The
following questions can help you clarify whether you really need something:

What is this and what is it
used for?

How often do I use it?

Is this really helpful to
me? (Does this item make my life
easier, save me time, save me money, fulfill an essential need?)

Do I love it?If so, why?

If I had to buy this again,
would I buy it?

Is this the best place for
it?

Do I have space for this?

How many of these do I have?
(Do I need them all?Which are my
favorites?)

Do I own something else that
does the same job?

Is owning this more trouble
than it is worth?

Some
people might feel uncomfortable with having another person ask these questions;
it might feel like they are being judged.However, if the person asking the questions does it with compassion and
a desire to understand, rather than to condemn or mock, then it creates a safe
emotional place.I try to make
sure my clients know that they are
not the ones under trial, but their stuff is. My clients may balk at the beginning, but as time goes on, because
of the safe emotional space I create and try to maintain for them as they
answer, they get better and better at asking these questions themselves and
making the judgment themselves.

Usually
when my clients have a hard time explaining why something is needed, there is
some sort of emotional issue or attachment involved and they need time to work
through those issues.I don’t push
too hard when this kind of situation comes up because I know the issue will
come up multiple times with other possessions, and eventually my clients will
come to a realization themselves to let go as I help them deal with the
attachment.Once their awareness
has been raised, they are ready to learn by their own experience whether they
need something or not.

When
we ask ourselves questions about our use of our stuff, we are in essence giving
an account of part of our stewardship.It can only help when we are as honest as possible and as realistic as
possible.Then, when we act
bravely to fix the problems, whether by repair, donation, recycling, or just
plain throwing things away, we need not fear accounting to anyone else.

It
is possible for the process of rending an account to become so quick and easy
with practice that becomes almost intuitive.

P. S. What do you plan on applying these questions to? What have you been able to let go of because of asking these questions?

P. S. S.I will be posting future insights from
the scriptures about organizing and de-cluttering on my blog “House of Order, House of God," so if you want to get up-to-date notification on your blog
readers, feel free to follow me there too!

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About Me

Michaela Stephens

Arizona, United States

I'm a happily married 32-year old who switched from Electronic Engineering Technology to Literature, Writing, and Film.
I worked for 3 years at ASU as a writing tutor and have over 400 sessions worth of experience helping people with their writing.
I'm the oldest of seven children (5 boys, 2 girls)
I'm a bit of a neat freak and an undeniable bookworm.

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